Collapsible holder



May 30,1933. 5 wRlGHT 1,912,054

COLLAPSIBLE HOLDER Filed March 6, 1931 Inventor" Samuel MWr'ight, by His ttor-neg. I

Patented May 33, 1933 UNETEE merrr easier.

SAMUEL VJEIGHT, F SCHEN ECTADY, NEW YORK COLLAIPSIBLE HOLDER Application filed March 6, 1931. Serial No. 520,582.

My invention relates to collapsible-holders, more particularly to holders of this type for supporting and positioning objects, as Christmas trees and the like, in a ertical position.

The principal object of my invention is the provision of an improved collapsible holder of the character above referred to which may be readily folded without disassembly into comparatively small space when not in use,

and which shall be simple and rugged in construction.

My invention will be more fully set forth in the following description referring to the accompanying drawing, and the features of novelty which characterize my invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification.

Referring to the drawing, Fig. 1 is an elevational view of a holder embodying my invention in the operative position thereof; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the holder illustrated in Fig. l, and Fig. 3 is a plan view illustrating the holder in the collapsed position.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, my improved holder comprises a positioning and supporting ring 1, through which the trunk of a Christmas tree or other object (not shown) extends, and a fiat base member 2 comprising a disc on which a receptacle or cup 2' is mounted. The base 2 and cup 2 are secured together by a centering pin 3 disposed substantially in the vertical axis of the ring 1.

The base of the tree extends within the cup which is adapted to contain water and is engaged by the pin 3 in a well known manner so as to prevent tilting of the tree from the vertical position.

The bracing legs for the holder comprise in the present instance a pair of folding legs 4: and a rigidly mounted leg 5, each of said legs being individually and permanently connected to said ring and said base memher and comprising a V-shaped structure of strap metal or the like. The upper portion of each leg is attached to corresponding lug 6, forming a part of the ring 1, the lugs 6 being horizontally ofiset at the outer periphery of the ring and equally spaced as illustrated. The legs 4 are pivotally connected to the corresponding lugs by pins 7 or the like, the lowerportions of the legs 4 like wise being pivotally connected to the lower side of the base member by the pins 8 so that the legs etmay fold about a vertical axis.

The rigidly mounted leg 5 may. be secured to its corresponding lug 6 in any suitable manner and restrained in fixed position as by the stop members 5' at opposite sides of the leg. The lower portion of the leg ,5 also is secured to the base member by a pin or rivet 8 in the manner above referred to and extends to the center of thebasc'where it is further secured in position by a riveted extension 3 of the centering pin.

For the purpose of adjusting the hold-er to objectsrof different diameter the ring 1 is likewise provided with the screws 9, the same being threaded in the ring and adjustable in a well known manner to engage the object supported.

The holder is shown in the collapsed posi tion in Fig. 3, the legs 4 being folded about the vertical axis of the ring alongside the k fixed leg 5. In this position, the holder occupies minimum space, and requires no detachment of parts or disassembly of the holder.

For the purpose of securing a Water-tight joint between the pin 3 and the cup 2, a soft metal washer 10, of brass for example, is disposed between the bottom of the cup and a shoulder on the pin 3. In order that the parts shall be firmly and snugly drawn together when the extension 3 of the pin is riveted in position, a spacing washer 11 is disposed between the base 2 and the bottom of the cup 2. This arrangement therefore affords a simple and efficient method of assembly, and permits materials of lighter construction since the stress due to the riveting operation is partly taken up by the washers on the opposite sides of the cup base.

My improved holder accordingly is simple and inexpensive in construction while affording the added convenience of folding into minimum space without detachment of parts entailing possible loss of securing members when the holder is not in use.

It should be understood that my invention is not limited to specific details of construction and arrangement thereof herein illustrated, and that changes and modifications may occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is 1. A holder for Christmas trees and the like comprising a positioning and supporting ring, a base member below said ring having mounted thereon centering means substantially in the vertical axis of said ring, and three bracing le s individually connected to said base mem er, said ring provided with corresponding horizontally disposed offset lugs at the outer periphery thereof to which said legs are individually connected, two of said legs being pivotally connected to said base and to said corresponding lugs respectively so that they may fold about said vertical axis alongside said other leg in the collapsed position of theholder.

2. A permanently assembled collapsible holder for Christmas trees and the like comprising a base member, a plurality of bracing legs mounted for pivotal movement on said base member about the vertical axis thereof, a positioning and supporting ring having horizontally disposed oti'set lugs positioned above said base member, said bracing legs each having a pivotal connection with a corresponding lug on said ring, and means maintaining stationary one of said legs including stop members extending on opposite sides of said leg and fixed to the respective lug on said ring so that said other legs may be folded alongside said stationary leg in the collapsed position of said holder.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand. 1

SAMUEL M. WRIGHT. 

